Jacob Bertrand, PhD
ALD Expert and Team Leader

Atomic Layer Deposition Expert Jacob Bertrand

Jacob has 13 years of experience in Atomic Layer Deposition, primarily focused on industry applications. Since 2012, he has worked as a consultant in the vacuum deposition field. Applications for ALD are wide ranging but Jacob has focused worked with clients in a variety of fields, such as: 

• Diffusion barriers
• Medical devices
• Biosensors
• Optical components
• Optical sensors
• Corrosion protection​

Jacob is also an active member of one of largest professional societies within the vacuum coating industry, the Society of Vacuum Coaters. Through constant professional development and consulting, Jacob has developed a skill set geared towards industrial product development. The challenges of combining multiple deposition techniques to create high value add processes requires a unique perspective of those processes - a perspective that Jacob has cultivated throughout his career to the benefit of his consulting clients.

August 2012 – Present
Maxima Sciences llc, President, Senior Consultant
Cincinnati, Ohio

• Aid clients in the development or improvement of technologies using nanoscale thin film coatings.
  • Improved performance and miniaturization of proprietary fluid identification sensors widely used in the automotive industry
  • Coatings for specialty optical detectors and optical components
  • Coatings for specialty industrial components with a need for high value add coatings.
  • ALD precursor studies for new chemistries
• Provide access to support facilities through a network of partner cost centers to facilitate R&D efforts with capabilities rarely found outside major research labs.
  • Created a network of advanced world class R&D labs that provide many micro-fabrication, thin films deposition, and analytical methods.
  • Act as a single point of contact for clients to support efforts at multiple labs
• Developed Atomic Layer Deposition systems for research and development labs including sourcing components, generating all technical drawings/schematics, and tool programming. Installed at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab
• Provided North American Service and Support for Beneq Oy ALD tools. Including install and service on secure Federal installations and private industry facilities.

 
January 2016 – May 2019
Eccrine Systems, Principal Scientist, Internal Consultant
Cincinnati, Ohio

• Helped bring a thin film ion-selective wearable platform from the R&D stage to being ready for partner commercialization. Lead initial efforts and remained integral to the development of aptamer based sweat sensors. Contributed heavily to Eccrine’s IP portfolio with 23 Applications currently filed at various stages with the USPTO and internationally.
• Developed the process for manufacturing aptasensor substrates including materials, stack, layout, surface morphology, and deposition methods.
• Lead build out of new lab facility from bare labs to fully functional wet chemistry and biosensor laboratory.
• Served on the Lab Safety Committee taking a primary role in writing a laboratory safety manual, training materials, testing materials, and roll-out to staff. Designated first responder for laboratory emergencies.

 
January 2016 – May 2019
WaveTech, Co-Founder, CTO

• Developed targeted light filter technology for agricultural applications. Held responsibility for prototype development and modifications necessary for scale production.
• Developed targeted light filter technology for agricultural applications. Held responsibility for prototype development and modifications necessary for scale production.
• Principal Investigator on NSF Phase I (#1394566) and Phase IB grants for development and scale up of core technology. Also served as PI for a matching grant from KSTC in Kentucky.
• Oversaw work conducted by outside research groups. Provided experimental design, protocol assistance, and data analysis feedback.

Education

• University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, PhD, Chemistry - Physical        2012
• University of Redlands, Redlands, California, BS, Chemistry Cum Laude      2005

Memberships 

• Society of Vacuum Coaters, Director                                                2018 – Present
• Society of Vacuum Coaters, TAC Assistant Chair                           2012 – Present
• Society of Vacuum Coaters, Young Members Group Chair         2013 – Present
• American Chemical Society, Member                                              2015 – Present
• Association of Consulting Chemists and Chemical Engineers    2019 - Present

Technical Skills
Atomic Layer Deposition                               Spectroscopic ellipsometry                Profilometry
Molecular Layer Deposition                          XRR                                                    Four-point probe 
Surface Chemistry                                         XRD                                                    Infrared spectroscopy
Material Interfaces                                        TEM                                                    SEM-FIB-EDX
ALD Reactor design/build                              UV-Vis spectroscopy                           SEM-FIB-EDX
Basic Industrial control systems                   SEM-FIB-EDX                                      Electrical CAD
RFMagnetron sputtering                               Electrochemical Analyzers                 Instron Universal Tester
E-beam                                                          3D CAD (Inventor) 

 Licenses 

• Amateur Radio – Technician
• GMRS

View Jacob's Patents

View Jacob's Publications, Papers and Presentations 

Contact Jacob